Sale 976 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 29 September-2 October, 2009
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., nicely balanced margins with vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $800.00)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., beautiful margins and attractively centered, vivid color, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $530.00)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate for block of four
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., well-centered, bright color, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H. block of four, vivid color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a gorgeous block
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H. block of twelve, bright color, Fine-Very Fine, a few are particularly choice, attractive post-office fresh large multiple of the 4c Trans-Mississippi, with 2007 P.F. certificate
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1993 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,850.00). Only four have graded higher to date.
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO HAVE GRADED HIGHER TO DATE AND ONLY THREE OTHERS SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the 8c Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of 8c multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $26,400.00).
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. with wide top imprint selvage, wide and balanced margins, gorgeous color and impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,900.00). Only five have graded higher to date.
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. with plate no. 604 at bottom, wide margins, beautiful color and detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $730.00)
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Wide bottom imprint and plate no. 620 block of four, mount disturbed original gum, Fine
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., bright shade, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., deep color, centered to bottom, perfs just clear, Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, faintly hinged (appears Mint N.H.), exceptionally well-centered, rich color, small corner crease top left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, F-VF 75; SMQ $290.00 as 70, $580.00 as 80)
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Top imprint and plate no. 603 pair, Mint N.H. except lightly hinged at top of selvage where few perf separations expertly rejoined (easily trimmed), rich color and detailed impression, Very Fine, Scott Retail as Mint N.H.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, intense shade and impression, much better centering than normally found, tiny thin spot at top, Extremely Fine appearance, a pretty stamp, with 2009 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Block of four original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression on bright paper, few perf separations at left not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE-VERY FINE. A SCARCE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1983 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Block of four, original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, magnificent centering, few perf separations at right expertly reinforcedVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Scott Catalogue assigns only a $600.00 premium for a block of four versus four singles.